Watch: Iranian Missiles Displayed in a Military Parade
Monday, March 20, 2017
Monday, March 13, 2017
What will be the Future of the F-16I?
 |
| Photo: IAF Archive |
The “Sufa” (F-16I) jets are the backbone of the IAF’s fighter division. 13 years after they arrived in Israel, the fighter’s operators met to discuss the future of the aircraft in the Israeli Air Force
he “Sufa” (F-16I) fighter jets perform about 11,000 flight hours a year; they are the backbone of the IAF’s fighter division and perform dozens of different kinds of missions, from strikes to photography and reconnaissance. Col. Oded, Commander of Ramon AFB, explained that the “Sufa” (Hebrew for Storm) the IAF’s workhorse, is equipped with almost every capability in the IAF and is constantly updated with new capabilities. “We’re counted on in combat,” he added.
This month, power buildup personnel from IAF HQ and operators of the aircraft from Hatzerim and Ouvda AFB congregated in order to discuss the jet’s operational and maintenance concepts. They also discussed the impending changes that will be made in order to improve the aircraft and befit it to the coming decades. “This is a chance to take a wide look at the ‘Sufa’ division. Besides discussing the division’s activity, we would like to learn from one another about daily dilemmas regarding routine and periodic maintenance of the aircraft. We want to make decisions that will extend the life of the aircraft in the future," shared Brig. Gen. Avshalom, Hatzerim AFB Commander. “Proper maintenance culture indicates qualities of command, professionalism and long-term planning."
In the Next Three Years: All “Sufa” Systems to be Renewed
The “Sufa” jets are currently undergoing a “face lift” process, which will result in a more advanced version of the aircraft and include improved systems. The process’ production line has opened in Hatzerim AFB with the goal of renewing all of the aircraft’s avionic systems by 2020. The project began in the passing October and is operated entirely by civilian entities. About five improved “Sufa” jets have already been reintegrated in their operational squadrons.
“The ‘Sufa’ division has been taken to the next level, to a division that has been operating for over a decade, this is of significance," shared Lt. Col. Ziv, Commander of the “One” Squadron. “When we look at the systems that serve us, such as compression and air conditioning, the fuel tanks that provide us with long-range flight capabilities and navigation and self-defense systems, we must differentiate between war and routine scenarios. In combat, they will operate in much higher intensity."
In the former Progress Meeting, number of projects the Material Directorate dealt with in cooperation with on-base maintenance personnel in accordance with maintenance, safety, and operational needs were discussed. One of these projects was a joint project with the USAF whose goal was to prevent malfunctions that cause accidents when landing. “The IAF is the first in the world to integrate the system improvement, which was recently applied on a number of ‘Sufa’ jets for the sake of evaluation which will examine its impact," said Capt. Or Dekel from the Material Directorate.
In the future, a number of “Sufa” Squadrons from Ramon AFB are expected to receive the advanced SPICE 1000 guided bombs, which were first integrated into Ramat-David AFB’s fighter squadrons last year. The electro-optic weapons, manufactured by Rafael, have deep-penetration, accuracy and threat-immunity capabilities. It is equipped with improved software and algorithm systems and advanced detection and processing capabilities. The SPICE 1000 bombs also have real-time maneuver and reaction capabilities when facing stationary and mobile targets. “The weapon is adapted to the new battlefield, the various threats, and the changing arena," testified Avi Danon, the Project and Development Manager in Rafael.
This article was originally published on the IAF website.
Friday, March 10, 2017
India’s Modi approves NIS 9.4 billion missile deal with Israel
In latest sign of growing Israeli-Indian defense cooperation, Barak 8 system set to be deployed by 2023
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved on Wednesday a NIS 9.4 billion ($2.5 billion) purchase of an Israeli-developed anti-aircraft missile system for the Indian Army.
The Indian security cabinet committee on security approved the procurement of 40 units of the Medium Range Surface to Air Defense Missile (MR-SAM) system, known in Israel as the Barak 8, the Mail Today paper reported, citing government sources in New Delhi.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat
 |
| Israel Navy Super Dvora Mk III-class patrol boat |
| Name: | Super Dvora Mark II class |
| Builders: | IAI-Ramta |
| Operators: | |
| Preceded by: | Dvora class |
| Succeeded by: | Super Dvora Mk III class |
| In commission: | 1996 |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Fast patrol boat |
| Displacement: | 60 tons full load |
| Length: | 25.4 m (83 ft) (incl. ASD platform) |
| Beam: | 5.67 m (18.6 ft) |
| Draught: | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 2x diesel engines with 4,570 hp (3,410 kW) and two Arneson ASD-16 articulating surface drives. |
| Speed: | 45–52 knots (83–96 km/h) (max) |
| Range: | 700 nautical miles (1,300 km) at 42 knots (78 km/h) |
| Armament: |
|
Design and construction[edit]
25.4 metres (83 ft) in length, the Super Dvora II has a marine aluminum alloy planing hull in order to maintaining high standards of sea-keeping, maneuverability and static/dynamic intact/damaged stability in adverse environments
Operators[edit]
- Eritrean Navy (6) [1]
- Indian Navy (7)[1]
- Sri Lanka Navy (4 with 1 sunk)[1]
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Russia Unveiled its New MiG-35 Multirole Fighter
The MiG-35 – Russia's most advanced fighter aircraft – was officially unveiled and presented to the Russian government. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have viewed the first demonstration via remote video due to poor weather in the region.
| Role | Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter |
|---|---|
| National origin | Russia |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan |
| First flight | 2007 |
| Introduction | 2018 (planned)[1] |
| Status | Flight-testing/pre-series production[2][3][4] |
| Primary users | Russian Air Force Egyptian Air Force |
| Number built | 3 known completed by June 2010[5]and 2 pre-series completed by 2016[6] |
| Developed from | Mikoyan MiG-29M |
Specifications[edit]
- The MiG-35 is under development and specification data may change.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
- Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 38 m2 (409 ft2)
- Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
- Loaded weight: 17,500 kg (38,600 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 29,700 kg (65,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans
- Dry thrust: 5,400 kgf, 53.0 kN (11,900 lbf) each
- Thrust with afterburner: 9,000 kgf, 88.3 kN (19,840 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (>2500 km/h,[51]) at altitude;[30] 1,450 km/h (901 mph) at low-level
- Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)
- Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi)
- Ferry range: 3,100 km (1,930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks, aerial refueling=6000 km[27]
- Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
- Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min[30])
- Thrust/weight: 1.03[52]
- Max. maneuvering load factor: 10.0 g[50]
Armament
- Guns: 1× 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, 150 rounds
- Hardpoints: 9 total (8× under-wing, 1× centre-line) with a capacity of 7,000 kg[14]
- Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-24, S-25L, S-250 unguided and laser-guided rockets
- Missiles:
- Air-to-air:
- AA-10 Alamo: 4× R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ET
- AA-8 Aphid: 4× R-60M
- AA-11 Archer: 8× R-73E, R-73M, R-74M
- AA-12 Adder: 8× R-77
- Air-to-surface:
- AS-17 Krypton: 4× Kh-31A, Kh-31P
- AS-14 Kedge: 4× Kh-29T, Kh-29L
- Air-to-air:
- Bombs:
- Guided:
- KAB-500L: 500 kg laser-guided bomb
- KAB-500T: 500 kg TV-guided bomb
- Unguided:
- FAB-250: 250 kg bomb
- FAB-500: 500 kg bomb
- ZAB-500 fuel-air explosive Bomb
- Guided:
Avionics
- Phazotron Zhuk AE AESA radar (or other members of the Zhuk radar family)[53]
- NII PP OLS-UEM optical location station
The new MiG-35 (NATO reporting name: “Fulcrum Foxtrot”) is a greatly upgraded aircraft based on the earlier MiG-29 airframe. Significant upgrades on the MiG-35 include a completely new fly-by-wire flight control system, vastly improved cockpit, substantially upgraded avionics and an overall design philosophy that provides an enhanced degree of operational autonomy on the MiG-35 compared to earlier Russian combat aircraft. The MiG-35 will also integrate precision-guided targeting capability for air-to-ground weapons, a rarity in previous Russian air-ground doctrine. There is a significant engine upgrade on the new MiG-35. The aircraft uses two impressive Klimov RD-33OVT engines fitted with bi-directional thrust vectoring nozzles.
According to The Aviationist, the new MiG-35 marks a departure from previous Soviet-era combat aircraft capabilities while retaining the Russian penchant for lower unit cost in exchange for numerical superiority, a doctrine that has pervaded Russian military thinking for the entire century. The Russians have always traded unit capability for numerical superiority, relying on the hope that quantity would beat quality in a major conflict. Interestingly, this doctrine has shifted moderately toward a centrist mix of quality and quantity apparently in search of the best solution for indigenous use as well as attracting export buyers.
Russia has included significant sensor and capability upgrades on all recent combat aircraft, especially ones intended for the export market. Additionally, the reported domestic production for MiG-35 is only 37 aircraft, a very small acquisition by older Soviet and even modern Russian standards. A larger production capacity is earmarked for export sales, likely in the form of a 50-unit order from Egypt.
Reports indicate the Egyptian MiG-35s are to be fitted with a new advanced targeting pod, the PPK targeting pod from Precision Instrument Systems. The new PPK thermal imager/TV and laser rangefinder allows the MiG-35 to autonomously guide precision munitions. Previous Russian doctrine relied heavily on ground vectors to attack targets.
The Aviationist also reports that the indigenous MiG-35 is fitted with a Russian NPK-SPP OLS-K electro-optical targeting system. The OLS-K targeting and surveillance system is mounted directly to the aircraft below the right (starboard) fuselage on the engine nacelle in front of the elevators. It is not a removable pod. The OLS-K sensor can track moving vehicles from 20 kilometers and surface contacts at sea for 40 kilometers. An integrated laser rangefinder computes target distance up to 20 kilometers for weapons employment. There is also laser designation for guided weapons built into the pod.
The OLS-K targeting and surveillance system is mounted on the engine nacelle in front of the elevators
The new MiG-35 provides Russia and export customers with a uniquely scaled precision strike capability that may be a better fit for countries with smaller defense budgets. The MiG-35 contrasts aircraft like the larger (and more expensive) Sukhois. If a client’s ground strike requirements involve shorter range in a tactical rather than strategic setting the MiG-35 may be the right size and cost aircraft.
Given recent problems throughout the Middle East and Africa with managing strike accuracy and reducing the exposure to collateral damage from air strikes this may be an important export asset for Russia and its defense industry clients.
Monday, March 6, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)